MIXED REACTIONS TRAIL PORT HARCOURT REFINERY ACTIVATION
The recent activation of the Port Harcourt refinery has sparked a flurry of reactions from various stakeholders, with some hailing it as a monumental achievement and others raising concerns about its true capacity and potential impact on the country’s energy sector.
On one hand, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) has welcomed the development, describing it as a significant milestone in the country’s quest for energy independence and economic growth. The refinery’s restart is expected to ease foreign exchange pressure and reduce the country’s dependence on imported petroleum products.
“We are thrilled to announce the successful activation of the Port Harcourt refinery,” said NNPC’s Group Managing Director, Mele Kyari. “This achievement is a testament to our commitment to revamping the country’s refining capacity and reducing our reliance on imported petroleum products.”
However, some critics have raised concerns that the refinery is not refining crude oil as claimed, but rather blending imported semi-finished or finished petroleum products. This has sparked debate about the true capacity of the refinery and its potential impact on the country’s energy sector.
“It’s not clear what exactly is being produced at the refinery,” said a source familiar with the matter. “Is it refining crude oil or just blending imported products? We need more transparency on this issue.”
Others have welcomed the development, citing the potential benefits of increased domestic production and reduced reliance on imports. The Petroleum Retail Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has also confirmed that the refinery is producing refined products, including petrol, diesel, and kerosene.
“We are pleased to see the Port Harcourt refinery up and running,” said PETROAN’s National President, Billy Gillis-Harry. “This will help to increase domestic production and reduce our reliance on imported petroleum products.”
President Bola Tinubu has also weighed in, congratulating the NNPC on the successful revitalization of the refinery and urging the company to expedite the reactivation of other refineries in the country.
“I commend the NNPC for this achievement,” said President Tinubu. “However, we must not rest on our laurels. We must continue to work towards revamping our refining capacity and reducing our reliance on imported petroleum products.”
As the debate continues, one thing is clear: the activation of the Port Harcourt refinery is a significant development that has the potential to transform the country’s energy sector. However, it is crucial that the NNPC and other stakeholders provide more transparency and clarity on the refinery’s operations and capacity to ensure that the benefits of this development are maximized.